Overall I am very happy with this set. I loved the story line, the flavor of the cards was great, some really good cards are about to hit multiple formats and we got our GW Planeswalker. Overall the Theros block was pretty fun and I'm sad to see the story end.
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
Overall I am very happy with this set. I loved the story line, the flavor of the cards was great, some really good cards are about to hit multiple formats and we got our GW Planeswalker. Overall the Theros block was pretty fun and I'm sad to see the story end.
While the story was good, it would have been nice if we had gotten good cards and a good story at the same time (see Innistrad).
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
If you go on a purely power level basis, this is indeed clearly the most depowered block, and well earned the whispered designation of 'homelands/masques 2.0'
But I like to look at it from a bigger picture and I don't hold power shrivel against it as an inherently bad thing, in fact I think it might be a commendable bold step by wizards if it pans out well. They used ravnica 2.0 to ease into a power shrink to undo a good chunk of power creep we've had, and unless I've missed something the world didn't blow up in response so it couldn't have been all that bad. Maybe its Kamigawa 2.0, but unlike Kamigawa its not in the same standard as arcbound ravager and disciple of the vault so its not so easy to overlook everything in theros, and come rotation in a few months, well.
I think thats a very high level task to pull off. You don't want to follow up an act that set the bar high with a load of stinkers like kamigawa and get people to wonder why the heck they would ever buy a box of laminated coasters (and jittes). But if wizards intentionally eased us into this to make it not jarring, props to them, I think thats a good step overall, even if some of this crap is a bitter pill to swallow. And I don't excuse them playing it too safe and being unadventurous with their mechanics, I think theres no reason they couldn't have had the best of both worlds, but then again for all my talk if I tried something like that myself we'd probably wind up with urza's block 2.0 so I remain armchair quarterback
also, masques had gush and daze and port. And homelands had this thing called merchant scroll. Theros, on the other hand... Cheaper seizes? Or are they more expensive with standard demand, I didn't check
Overall I am very happy with this set. I loved the story line, the flavor of the cards was great, some really good cards are about to hit multiple formats and we got our GW Planeswalker. Overall the Theros block was pretty fun and I'm sad to see the story end.
While the story was good, it would have been nice if we had gotten good cards and a good story at the same time (see Innistrad).
The story will be fine, IF and only IF Xenagos is dead and stays dead. Wizards has pretty much been making storylines pointless because they throw some lame excuse to have their Planeswalkers make it into future sets. RtR storyline=pointless, because Jace the "Guildpact" just up and leaves.
Magma Spray: Wait is that a strictly better Pillar of Flame?
It only targets creatures, Pillar could hit creatures or players. Their are only 2 creatures in standard right now that the exile clause would really effect and that is Voice of Resurgence and Chandra's Phoenix.
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
The only thing I'm disappointed by is the lack of a legendary Minotaur still.
I guess I'm hoping that shows up in a core set.
Otherwise, the set seems fantastic, with a number of card that I'm interested in playing both in Standard and Modern, and what looks like it should be a really fun limited format.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
*Insert giant block of annoying garbage that no one cares about but you have to scroll past anyway here*
They gave me a new hexproof creature?! They gave me a new hexproof creature!!!
This new guy is a lot more useful than Witchstalker too. Very pleased. Wanted Daybreak Coronet - didn't get it - wanted a bestow hexproof creature - didn't get it.
But did get a nice new hexproof creature to use.
Constellation was a serious disappointment this set. I mean, fine, it's a small set keyword, but couldn't they have costed ANY of the constellation cards aggressively? The closest we got was the coinsmith, but that just gains life (not taking the second ability into consideration), so it's not really worth much of anything...
Magma Spray: Wait is that a strictly better Pillar of Flame?
It only targets creatures, Pillar could hit creatures or players. Their are only 2 creatures in standard right now that the exile clause would really effect and that is Voice of Resurgence and Chandra's Phoenix.
Hypothetically shuts out Scavenging Ooze from getting more counters.
Magma Spray: Wait is that a strictly better Pillar of Flame?
It only targets creatures, Pillar could hit creatures or players. Their are only 2 creatures in standard right now that the exile clause would really effect and that is Voice of Resurgence and Chandra's Phoenix.
Hypothetically shuts out Scavenging Ooze from getting more counters.
Not really. They can always activate the ability in response and put it out of Magma Spray range.
Newly-revealed cards that stand out: (Mostly from an EDH perspective)
W Oppressive Rays - Another very good, very cheap control Aura to add to the rest of the catalogue W already has. Quarry Colossus - Neutered Unexpectedly Absent with a good body will be yet another strong weapon in blink decks.
U Hour of Need, Thassa's Ire - Delicious Johnny treats. Pull from the Deep - A new must-have for those UR spellslingers that run 50-ish instant/sorceries. Great value. Triton Shorestalker - Dammit, I just recently convinced myself again not to try building a "sneak-past-everthing-Rogue-tribal" derpadeck, why do you keep tempting me?!
B Agent of Erebos - A cool Constellation ability, but you really want to play this for the artwork, holy crap... Felhide Petrifier - If only Minotaur tribal had more craziness like this. Grim Guardian - This and Underworld Coinsmith make Orzhov DrainChantments more and more of a thing. Pack a bunch of 1/2-mana-cost control Auras in there, (see W!) and bam. Rotted Hulk - I really dig the artwork for some reason, such a shame it's vanilla.
R Blinding Flare - A tantalizingly-costed pre-alpha-strike trick. Too bad it's not an instant, though still a great card. Rollick of Abandon - Globally draining toughness is a rare treat mono-R gets sometimes, and it's always worth it to test its viability. Wildfire Cerberus - Damn, yet another cool opponents-only damage effect I'll have to try out in Godo. (Combine with Deathtouch equipment, then laugh)
R Heartless Hidetsugu R Godo, Bandit Warlord G Kamahl, Fist of Krosa B Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker RG Thromok the Insatiable WUBRG Scion of the Ur-Dragon
Thassa's Devourer blocks Godhunter Octopus like its his job. Too bad it's a last pick like Godhunter Octopus. Still, hold that Kiora. All the Thassa flavor text makes me happy. All in all, it looks like a decent set to draft with, seeing as how this set has most of the answers the other two sets were missing.
The set gave standard some new stuff to play with but they also printed some pretty strong answers too. Modern and Legacy don't get too much love in this set. Maybe some fringe playables.
If you go on a purely power level basis, this is indeed clearly the most depowered block, and well earned the whispered designation of 'homelands/masques 2.0'
But I like to look at it from a bigger picture and I don't hold power shrivel against it as an inherently bad thing, in fact I think it might be a commendable bold step by wizards if it pans out well. They used ravnica 2.0 to ease into a power shrink to undo a good chunk of power creep we've had, and unless I've missed something the world didn't blow up in response so it couldn't have been all that bad. Maybe its Kamigawa 2.0, but unlike Kamigawa its not in the same standard as arcbound ravager and disciple of the vault so its not so easy to overlook everything in theros, and come rotation in a few months, well.
At least Kamigawa had several powerful cards (Jitte, Top, Glimpse, Blazing Shoal). And RTR was much more powerful than Theros.
I think thats a very high level task to pull off. You don't want to follow up an act that set the bar high with a load of stinkers like kamigawa and get people to wonder why the heck they would ever buy a box of laminated coasters (and jittes). But if wizards intentionally eased us into this to make it not jarring, props to them, I think thats a good step overall, even if some of this crap is a bitter pill to swallow. And I don't excuse them playing it too safe and being unadventurous with their mechanics, I think theres no reason they couldn't have had the best of both worlds, but then again for all my talk if I tried something like that myself we'd probably wind up with urza's block 2.0 so I remain armchair quarterback
That doesn't change the fact that this was a boring block with little competitive synergy with its own mechanics (very little Devotion support, weak enchantment support, weak Inspired support, Heroic support that isn't powerful enough, weak ramp for Monstrosity, and Tribute being weak in general). I get that the point is supposed to be the flavor. But I don't care about the flavor. It makes things better, but what I really like are powerful and synergistic cards. Theros doesn't have that.
also, masques had gush and daze and port. And homelands had this thing called merchant scroll. Theros, on the other hand... Cheaper seizes? Or are they more expensive with standard demand, I didn't check
Theros has a few Modern cards and a couple of fringe Legacy cards, but you are correct. Theros Thoughtseizes brought down the price a lot.
Overall I am very happy with this set. I loved the story line, the flavor of the cards was great, some really good cards are about to hit multiple formats and we got our GW Planeswalker. Overall the Theros block was pretty fun and I'm sad to see the story end.
While the story was good, it would have been nice if we had gotten good cards and a good story at the same time (see Innistrad).
The story will be fine, IF and only IF Xenagos is dead and stays dead. Wizards has pretty much been making storylines pointless because they throw some lame excuse to have their Planeswalkers make it into future sets. RtR storyline=pointless, because Jace the "Guildpact" just up and leaves.
Like a lot of other cards in this set, it's great for Bruna, Light of Alabaster.
It can exile a great number of blockers when she suits up.
Reprint Stasis!
Control needs more love.
EDH:
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm
WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW
WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
While the story was good, it would have been nice if we had gotten good cards and a good story at the same time (see Innistrad).
Storm Crow is strictly worse than Seacoast Drake.
I thought it was great, then I noticed the creature type.
It seems like the best 1-drop Merfolk could ever ask for.
Reprint Stasis!
Control needs more love.
EDH:
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm
WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW
WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
If you go on a purely power level basis, this is indeed clearly the most depowered block, and well earned the whispered designation of 'homelands/masques 2.0'
But I like to look at it from a bigger picture and I don't hold power shrivel against it as an inherently bad thing, in fact I think it might be a commendable bold step by wizards if it pans out well. They used ravnica 2.0 to ease into a power shrink to undo a good chunk of power creep we've had, and unless I've missed something the world didn't blow up in response so it couldn't have been all that bad. Maybe its Kamigawa 2.0, but unlike Kamigawa its not in the same standard as arcbound ravager and disciple of the vault so its not so easy to overlook everything in theros, and come rotation in a few months, well.
I think thats a very high level task to pull off. You don't want to follow up an act that set the bar high with a load of stinkers like kamigawa and get people to wonder why the heck they would ever buy a box of laminated coasters (and jittes). But if wizards intentionally eased us into this to make it not jarring, props to them, I think thats a good step overall, even if some of this crap is a bitter pill to swallow. And I don't excuse them playing it too safe and being unadventurous with their mechanics, I think theres no reason they couldn't have had the best of both worlds, but then again for all my talk if I tried something like that myself we'd probably wind up with urza's block 2.0 so I remain armchair quarterback
also, masques had gush and daze and port. And homelands had this thing called merchant scroll. Theros, on the other hand... Cheaper seizes? Or are they more expensive with standard demand, I didn't check
The story will be fine, IF and only IF Xenagos is dead and stays dead. Wizards has pretty much been making storylines pointless because they throw some lame excuse to have their Planeswalkers make it into future sets. RtR storyline=pointless, because Jace the "Guildpact" just up and leaves.
I Stream MTGO on Twitch: broodwarjc
I also post recordings of those streams on Youtube: broodwarjcavidgamer
Standard Deck:
BUPirates
Modern Deck:
B8-Rack
post #11 on the first page. also: http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/journeyintonyx/cig#
also Xathrid Necromancer.
I think you mean the Cockatrice.
The Chimera is and equally meh.
(EDIT: derp, it is a Chimera)
I was so happy to see those colors in the CMC,
then so disappointed by the card
I still really dig the set though.
It's no New Phyrexia, but it's better than Saviors.
Reprint Stasis!
Control needs more love.
EDH:
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm
WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW
WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
It's slow to get online, but it's repeatable, potentially instant-speed flicker. That just screams "abuse me!"
I guess I'm hoping that shows up in a core set.
Otherwise, the set seems fantastic, with a number of card that I'm interested in playing both in Standard and Modern, and what looks like it should be a really fun limited format.
We never got our legendary Minotaur. Booooo.
This new guy is a lot more useful than Witchstalker too. Very pleased. Wanted Daybreak Coronet - didn't get it - wanted a bestow hexproof creature - didn't get it.
But did get a nice new hexproof creature to use.
Now give me back my Rancor, M15.
It *possibly* is a reference to the greek myth about the war between Pygmies and the Cranes. Google it. It's quite hilarious.
Also, I'm really somewhat annoyed by all the reminder text all of a sudden in this set on evergreen abilities. Seems out of place.
And the Quarry Colossus's wording bugs me to no end. Seems like there should be a better templating for it than saying "Just under".
Hypothetically shuts out Scavenging Ooze from getting more counters.
Not really. They can always activate the ability in response and put it out of Magma Spray range.
W
Oppressive Rays - Another very good, very cheap control Aura to add to the rest of the catalogue W already has.
Quarry Colossus - Neutered Unexpectedly Absent with a good body will be yet another strong weapon in blink decks.
U
Hour of Need, Thassa's Ire - Delicious Johnny treats.
Pull from the Deep - A new must-have for those UR spellslingers that run 50-ish instant/sorceries. Great value.
Triton Shorestalker - Dammit, I just recently convinced myself again not to try building a "sneak-past-everthing-Rogue-tribal" derpadeck, why do you keep tempting me?!
B
Agent of Erebos - A cool Constellation ability, but you really want to play this for the artwork, holy crap...
Felhide Petrifier - If only Minotaur tribal had more craziness like this.
Grim Guardian - This and Underworld Coinsmith make Orzhov DrainChantments more and more of a thing. Pack a bunch of 1/2-mana-cost control Auras in there, (see W!) and bam.
Rotted Hulk - I really dig the artwork for some reason, such a shame it's vanilla.
R
Blinding Flare - A tantalizingly-costed pre-alpha-strike trick. Too bad it's not an instant, though still a great card.
Rollick of Abandon - Globally draining toughness is a rare treat mono-R gets sometimes, and it's always worth it to test its viability.
Wildfire Cerberus - Damn, yet another cool opponents-only damage effect I'll have to try out in Godo. (Combine with Deathtouch equipment, then laugh)
G
Consign to Dust - A.K.A More expensive Naturalize-with-Replicate-sorta. Playable, no doubt.
Nessian Game Warden - Ooooooh... Nice.
Reviving Melody - Remember the Fallen, Theros Edition. Will have a place somewhere.
Satyr Grovedancer - This is just to remind myself; try to look for a spot for this in Thromok the Insatiable.
Multi
Fleetfeather Cockatrice - Hilarious, except why isn't it black?! Deathgaze Cockatrice giving me false hope, dammit.
Stormchaser Chimera - UR never fails to deliver on Johnny monsters!
Real Men Play Aggro
EDH:
R Heartless Hidetsugu
R Godo, Bandit Warlord
G Kamahl, Fist of Krosa
B Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker
RG Thromok the Insatiable
WUBRG Scion of the Ur-Dragon
The set gave standard some new stuff to play with but they also printed some pretty strong answers too. Modern and Legacy don't get too much love in this set. Maybe some fringe playables.
"Kiora is the Aquaman of planeswalkers."
"Useless and everyone pretends to like her?"
At least Kamigawa had several powerful cards (Jitte, Top, Glimpse, Blazing Shoal). And RTR was much more powerful than Theros.
That doesn't change the fact that this was a boring block with little competitive synergy with its own mechanics (very little Devotion support, weak enchantment support, weak Inspired support, Heroic support that isn't powerful enough, weak ramp for Monstrosity, and Tribute being weak in general). I get that the point is supposed to be the flavor. But I don't care about the flavor. It makes things better, but what I really like are powerful and synergistic cards. Theros doesn't have that.
Theros has a few Modern cards and a couple of fringe Legacy cards, but you are correct. Theros Thoughtseizes brought down the price a lot.
It is done.
Even Prophecy was better than Saviors. It is about at the level of DGM, which isn't good.
Storm Crow is strictly worse than Seacoast Drake.